BLONDE ROOTS

This provocative and powerful alternate history asks the question -- what if Europeans had been enslaved by Africans? The story is narrated in three parts, as Evaristo weaves satire and humor throughout this poignant story and focuses new attention on a horrifying period of history. Readers may find the revelations difficult to read in this thought-provoking story that challenges our perceptions of race.

Doris, an 11-year-old blonde English girl, is kidnapped by slave traders while playing with her sisters. She's transported on a slave ship to the United Kingdom of Great Ambossa, part of the continent of Aphrika. Her new owner, Chief Kaga Konata Katamba renames her Omorenomwara and brands her with his initials. Omo runs away, is captured again and tries a second escape, always dreaming of finding her family and returning home. (RIVERHEAD, Jan., 288 pp., $24.95)

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July Ratings

Download the ratings for all the new books reviewed in the July issue, conveniently formatted on easily printable pages.